Method of treating molten matte.



PATBNTED JAN. 2, 1906.

I W. B. KOCH.

METHOD OF TREATING MOLTEN MATTE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1903.

INVENTOR ml; i. M

WITN ESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

METHOD OF TREATING IVIOLTEN MATTE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 2, 1906.

Application filed February 19, 1903. Serial No. 144:,026.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER E. KocH, of Pittsburg, Allegheny county,Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method of Treating MoltenMatte, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of areducing or smelting furnace provided with my improved apparatus. Fig. 2is a top plan view showing the lower portion of the trough, and Fig. 3is a detail cross-section of the trough.

My invention relates to the treatment of mattes containing a mixture ofdiflerent metals or their compounds, such as sulfids, and the object ofthe invention is to remove the sulfur and at least partially separatethe metals.

In carrying out my invention I treat the matte while in molten conditionby passing an electric current through it by means of electrodes, atleast one of which and preferably both of which are tubular and throughwhich gases are forced during the passage of the current.

The invention further consists in treating the matte in a continuousmanner by flowing it through a trough wherein it is subjected to theaction of the electric current and gases, as described.

In carrying out my invention, taking, for example, a copper mattecontaining iron, I referably tap the matte from the smeltingurnace 2 ofFig. 1 into the forehearth 3. The matte settles to the bottom of thisforehearth and is tapped through the spout 4 into an inclined trough 5.This trough is preferably provided with upwardly and outwardly divergingsides, as shown in Fig. 3, and into the opposite sides of this trough,which may be lined with refractory material, project the ends ofoppositely-located electrodes 6 and 7. These electrodes are so arrangedthat the matte flows slowly between their ends, and the electrodes aretubular to allow air or gases to be forced through them at the sametime. I preferably use watergas for this purpose on account of thehydrogen and carbonic monoxid contained in it. The hydrogen combineswith the sulfur in the matte to form a gas which passes off, while thecarbonic monoxid serves to reduce and separate the iron in the ordinarymanner. I may, however, use other gases or fluids, such as steam, hotair, producergas, &c. The electrolytic action of the current on thefused mattes causes the iron to be drawn toward one electrode and thecopper toward the other, and I utilize this action to separate these twometals. For this purpose I place a splitter 8, of plow shape, at themouth of the trough in such position that the iron will be deflectedtoward one side and the copper toward the other, thus separating them.The copper will contain the precious metals, if such are present. Inpractice the iron collects in the metallic state in lumps or masses inthe mouth of the trough at one side of the splitter and is drawn out bythe operator. The copper drops from the other side and chills in lumpsof bullion. The electrodes are preferably formed of graphitized carbonand are preferably covered with a protecting coating to lengthen theirlife.

The advantages of my method will be appreciated by those skilled in theart. The Bessemerizing of copper matte is done away with and a quick,cheap, and efficient method of obtaining the copper is obtained.

The gases or fluids may be supplied to the matte by separate twyersinstead of by hollow electrodes. The process may be carried out in areceptacle containing the matte and may be either intermittent orcontinuous, though I prefer the trough method on account of the easyseparating of the two metals, and many changes may be made in the formand arrangement of the apparatus without departing from my invention.

I claim 1. The method of treating molten mattes, which consists inforcing gases into a stream of molten matte, and electrolyzing saidmatte substantially as described.

2. The method of treating molten mattes, consisting in flowing a streamof molten matte between electrodes, and electrolyzing the matte andsimultaneously forcing gases into the stream of matte; substantially asdescribed.

3. The method of treating molten mattes, consisting in electrolyzing thematte by passing a stream of it between electrodes and passing anelectric current therethrough,

forcing gases into the stream through the elec-.

trodes, and splitting the stream to separate one metal from the other;substantially as described.

4. The method of treating molten mattes containing copper and iron,consisting in separating the product into portions con- 10 electrolyzingthe matte while flowing a taining the iron and the copper; substantiallystream of the matte between electrodes, and as described.

simultaneously forcing gases into the flowing In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set 5 stream; substantially as described. my hand.

5. The method of treating molten mattes WVALTER E. KOCH. containing coper and iron, consisting in l/Vitnesses: electrolyzing t e matte whileflowing a L. M. REDMAN,

stream of the matte between electrodes and H. M. CORWIN.

